Few people will remember the Yankees’ 7-1 win against the Astros on September 3 for Trent Grisham’s grand slam in the top of the fifth, but many will remember the night for the Framber Valdez-Cesar Salazar cross-up. Let us give you some context.

The whole incident happened in the fifth when the Yankees’ bases were loaded with Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, and Aaron Judge, and Cesar Salazar signaled for Valdez to step off the rubber, but Framber Valdez ignored him. That’s when Trent Grisham unleashed a grand slam on a 1-0 count off Valdez’s 96-mph sinker. Two pitches after that incident, Valdez threw a 92.8-mph fastball that struck Salazar squarely in the chest, which many believe was intentional, and accused Valdez of hitting the catcher.

Though Salazar and Valdez later confirmed it was a clear miscommunication and lapse in judgment—and that the Yankees’ loud crowd was the main culprit—even Valdez’s agent, Ulises Cabrera, supported that explanation. He said, “The idea that he’s intentionally trying to injure one of his teammates is preposterous. It’s a complete lack of respect for who he is as a person and who he is as a player.” 

But for a player like Valdez, who is an impending free agent and seeking a lucrative contract in the upcoming free agency, it’s a tough story to sell, and according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the domino effect has already started. “Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez’s stunt, in which he intentionally crossed up his own catcher or at the least simply didn’t care that he hit him in the chest with his fastball, could cost Valdez millions in free agency,” Nightengale wrote. He then delivered the concerning blow: “One scout said their organization already crossed Valdez off their list of free agent candidates after the incident.”

Before this ugly on-field moment, Valdez was arguably the best pitcher hitting the open market, and his next market value could be around $204.9 million, a six-year contract with an average of $34.2 million as per Spotrac estimation. And even MLB Network insider Jon Heyman suggested teams would use Max Fried’s record-setting eight-year, $218 million deal as a starting point for Valdez’s contract.

But with at least one team reportedly out, the truth is, it’s a 50/50 shot.

Will his own team even stay in the bidding?

Valdez isn’t the only player the Houston Astros need to think about because players like backup catcher Victor Caratini and reliever Hector Neris are also hitting the open market. So, the Astros have to decide how to spend their money.

This decision is even harder because the team’s biggest problem in 2025 is offense. The Astros rank 22nd in the league in runs scored, and fans still feel the sting of losing a star hitter like Kyle Tucker last winter.

Still, you simply can’t ignore Valdez’s value to the pitching staff. Houston’s starting pitcher has been solid, ranking 7th in the majors with a 3.82 team ERA, but behind the steady Hunter Brown (2.25 ERA), players like Lance McCullers Jr. have struggled with a 6.97 ERA. So, losing a pitcher who can be counted on for 180-200 high-quality innings (less than 3.45 ERA since 2021) every single year will leave the rotation in a fragile situation.

But if the Astros hesitate, other teams will be waiting, even with the character concerns, because he is the master of the “worm-killer.” But the teams could also look for other southpaw alternatives like the Phillies ‘ Ranger Suárez, Clayton Kershaw, Shota Imanaga, Steven Matz, Patrick Corbin, and Jordan Montgomery. And one thing is for sure: if Valdez falls short of his expected price, it will all come down to that single lapse of judgment in September.